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March
12, 2005 |
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Pak
put up a fight, but wilt under Balaji’s spell
Chandigarh, March
11
Pakistan were staring
down the barrel of a gun at the end of the fourth day’s play
against India in the first match of the three-Test series at
the PCA Stadium here today.
Pak
aim to set target of 200 runs: Kaneria
Mohali,
March 11
Pakistan are looking to bat well enough and put nearly 200
runs on the board to keep their hopes of saving the first Test
against India alive. “We cannot say much at the moment. Let
us see what happens if we put 200 runs on the board,”
leg-spinner Danish Kaneria said.
TURNING POINT
Umpire Hair made glaring mistake
Lethal swing bowling by Tamil
Nadu fast bowler Laxmipathy Balaji , returning to Test cricket
after a very long gap forced by a pelvic injury, and the
glaring error in judgement by Australian umpire Darrell Hair
when he ruled Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq leg before
wicket to Anil Kumble will not only count as the turning point
of the fourth day’s play on Friday, but also as the turning
point of the first Test match between India and Pakistan at
Mohali.
Indian
squad retained for Kolkata Test
MOHALI: Reposing
faith in the squad playing in the ongoing Mohali Test, the
BCCI has retained the same squad for the second Test scheduled
to begin at Kolkata on March 16.
Musharraf
to watch one-dayer
Islamabad,
March 11
The Pakistan President, Gen Pervez Musharraf, has in principle
accepted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s invitation to visit
India to watch one of the India-Pakistan cricket matches,
informed sources told The Dawn on Thursday. Sources said dates
for the President’s visit would soon be firmed up through
diplomatic channels.
Playing
tough with VIPs at Mohali
Mohali,
March 11
It was certainly not the day for VIPs at the Punjab Cricket
Association Stadium today. Playing tough with VIP visitors
including Ministers, who tried their best to gain access to
the Indian and Pakistan cricket teams, the International
Cricket Council’s security representative today directed
them to stay away.
Bindra
reiterates demand to set up BCCI-owned TV channel
Mohali,
March 11
Mr I.S. Bindra, president of the PCA, and Mr Lalit Modi,
president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, reiterated
their demand to set up a BCCI-owned TV channel without any
further delay. They said the delay in setting up the channel
was leading to huge financial losses.
PCA-police
row over pass privilege
Mohali,
March 11
Two matches were on at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA)
stadium today. While the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams
battled it out in the lush green fields of the stadium, the
PCA officials and the Punjab police today fought their own war
outside.
PCA
ignores disabled
Chandigarh,
March 11
Thousands of cricket lovers daily make beeline to watch the
India-Pakistan Test series at PCA stadium, Mohali, which will
conclude tomorrow. But sadly, the organisers have ignored the
cause of physically challenged. There is no separate entry for
them.
Most
Pakistanis leave town to visit other places
Mohali,
March 11
Even before the Mohali Test comes to a close, a significant
number of Pakistani visitors today abandoned the VIP blocks at
the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, reserved for
them.
Death
of 28 milch cattle forces officials to sit up
Swara
village (Kharar), March 11
A dairy farmer loses six of his precious buffalo to a
mysterious disease. But no official notice is taken. The toll
of milch animals in the village reaches at 28 in just two
months. It was callousness on the part of the officials of
Department of Animal Husbandry, Punjab, which prevented them
from taking serious action.
Bonhomie
beyond cricket
Chandigarh,
March 11
The Rangpurias residence in Sector 49 has been buzzing with
activity ever since their Pakistani guests walked into their
house and hearts four days back. They can’t contain their
happiness at being able to host the guests and are playing
indulging parents to the six youth, four boys and two girls.
Pak
women ‘lack freedom to do their own thing’
Chandigarh,
March 11
Bopping, revelry and bonhomie galore!
Jumbo
bat, an expression of his passion for cricket
Chandigarh,
March 11
Cricket, passion and people are inextricably linked. It is the
immense love and passion for the game that has inspired local
craftsman Vishnu Prajapati to make a gigantic bat. His
emotions moulded in the shape of a 21-foot-long giant bat are
indeed spectacular. It weighs around 125 kgs.
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March
11, 2005 |
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Sachin
falls near peak
Chandigarh, March
10
Little master Sachin
Tendulkar failed to scale cricket’s Mount Everest at the PCA
Stadium at Mohali today, the third day of the opening match of
the three-Test series against Pakistan.
He
keeps an eagle eye on cricketers
Mohali, March 10
A smartly dressed Sardar
paces a long room at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium at
Mohali. Entry to this room is allowed only if the visitor is a
VVIP like a Governor or a Chief Minister. Like an eagle, he
quietly observes everything in the room.
India
will look for 250-plus lead: Sehwag
Mohali,
March 10
India will be looking for a lead of 250 to 300 runs, Virender
Sehwag, the first innings centurion in the first Test against
Pakistan, said. “We are in a good position at the moment.
Turning
Point
When Dame Luck smiled
India’s
luck must take the honours of day three of the first Test
between India and Pakistan at the PCA Stadium at Mohali on
Thursday. While admitting that every team needs a slice of
luck to swing the game its way, Dame Luck seemed to have
helped India a wee bit too much, at least so far in the match.
Ground
needed a giant effort
Shoaib
not handled well: Sohail
Mohali,
March 10
Aamir Sohail, known from his doggedness on the field and who
along with Saeed Anwar formed perhaps the most successful
opening pair from Pakistan, was neither happy with the
Pakistan team composition, nor was he happy to see his team
struggle in the first Test at Mohali. During a chat with The
Tribune, he looked concerned not only about the team
performance, but other issues as well.
Ancestral
town awaits Inzamam
Hansi,
March 10
Residents of this town are eagerly awaiting the arrival of
Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has expressed his
desire to visit his ancestral house and the Chaar Qutab
Dargaah, of which his grandfather was once in charge.
Fans
disappointed as Sachin, Sehwag miss milestones
Chandigarh,
March 10
It was an opportunity that will go down in the annals of
history as a ‘big miss’. The Punjab Cricket Association
Stadium in Mohali lost a lifetime opportunity to become a part
of history ‘where legendary Sachin Tendulkar hit the 35th
century of his career’, but this did not happen.
Sehwag
repeats century at PCA stadium
Chandigarh,
March 10
The Punjab Cricket Association cricket ground in Mohali has
proved lucky for Virender Sehwag, a dashing Indian opener
batsman, who today became the 16th batsman to score a century
at PCA stadium, Mohali.
Cricket
to ek bahana hai...
Chandigarh,
March 10
Cricket has taken a back seat. Thousands of Pakistani visitors
who have flocked to the city to watch the cricket teams
battling it out termed the game to be an excuse to visit
India.
Bukhari
praises Indian batsmen
Chandigarh,
March 10
Money in cricket has grown manifold which is good for everyone
said Rehman Bukhari, former chief of PCB, Pakistan who visited
the Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, this evening. Bukhari, a
former cricketer said in earlier days, players used to get a
meagre amount in the Test matches.
Visas
of 700 Pak guests extended
Mohali,
March 10
More than 700 Pakistani visitors today got their visas
extended to travel to various places in India. SSP Ropar S.P.
Singh, said Pakistanis today were permitted to go to Agra
Shimla, Delhi and Ajmer.
Pak
students feel it’s second home
Chandigarh,
March 10
Pakistani students interacted with their counterparts from
Punjab at a function organised by the Nehru Memorial
Government College Old Students Association, Mansa, at
Kalagram here today.
Students
enjoy being ushers at stadium
Mohali,
March 10
Among the hoards who are thronging the Punjab Cricket
Association (PCA) stadium here, 20 students of the Yadvindra
Public School stand out. Disciplined, uniformed and at their
social best, this group of 10 boys and 10 girls is being the
perfect ushers.
For
him match was excuse to get visa
Chandigarh,
March 10
On his first trip to India, Khaakzadah M. Anwar Kamal is full
of admiration and awe for the overwhelming affection and warm
hands of friendship that engulfed him as soon as crossed over
to Wagah. And what has touched him most is the love that
Indians have shown.
Pak
guests treated to dance and dinner
Panchkula,
March 10
It was dance and enjoyment for hundreds of Pakistanis, who had
gathered at a restaurant here this evening. The men from
across the border danced to the latest Hindi tunes and enjoyed
sher-o-shaiyri, at a special feast organised by the
restaurant.
Rehris
selling eatables do brisk business
Mohali,
March 10
Owners of rehris have been doing brisk business in front of
the gates of the PCA stadium here after the Municipal Council
allowed them to stay put in view of unavailability of adequate
food material for police personnel on duty.
Match
to begin at 9.30 am
Mohali,
March 10
Cricket match of the high profile Test series at PCA Stadium,
Mohali, will start at 9.30 a.m. on Friday instead of 10 a.m.
This was necessitated due to curtailed play and required overs
could not be bowled, according to a press note of the Punjab
Cricket Association.
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March
10, 2005 |
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Sehwag
shines on rain-hit day
Chandigarh, March
9
There are very few
superlatives which one can use to describe Virender Sehwag’s
batting when he is in full flow. Very few bowlers can contain
the Indian opener when he is determined to make his bat do the
talking. A player of his nature makes little distinction
whether he is playing Test cricket or an one-dayer.
India
invites Pervez to watch match
New
Delhi/Islamabad, March 9
India has invited
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to watch one of the
matches in the current Indo-Pak cricket series and Pakistan
said the General was “positively thinking” of visiting
India.
Sehwag
wants India to post 500-plus total
Mohali, March 9
Virender Sehwag is known
for his carefree ways while on the batting crease. He was as
cavalier while handling queries from the media after his
superb knock here today. The swashbuckling batsman played a
scintillating innings and remained unbeaten on 95 as India
finished the second day of the first Test here at 184.
Turning
Point
Pakistan
will rue dropped catches
THE
two dropped catches of India’s opening batsman Virender
Sehwag could well be the turning point of the second day of
play of the first Test between India and Pakistan at the PCA
Stadium at Mohali on Wednesday. And as the game unfolds over
the next three days, the visitors could well rue what would
have happened if they had held their chances.
Saqlain
was not handled properly: lntikhab
Mohali,
March 9
“Unfortunately, Saqlain Mushtaq was not handled properly. He
was a world-class spinner and a match-winner,” Intikhab Alam,
Punjab Ranji team coach, said today. Alam is known for his
forthright views and was speaking at the PCA Stadium today.
Dungarpur
favours CEO for BCCI
Chandigarh,
March 9
Indian cricket must become totally professional if it has to
improve the way it has over the years, specially over the past
decade. This was the view of Mr Raj Singh Dungarpur, a former
president of the BCCI, who was at the PCA Stadium in Mohali
today to watch the proceedings of the first Test between India
and Pakistan.
Weather
to remain unsparing
Chandigarh,
March 9
You must be mistaken if you thought the rain gods would change
track to oblige Punjab Cricket Association which is in charge
of cricket affairs at Mohali. The only way to keep them in
good humour now is to keep the fingers crossed.
Sehwag
cloudburst puts rain gods to shame
Mohali, March 9
As if the euphoria
generated by Indians welcoming Pakistani visitors was not
enough, the rain gods too seem inclined to help the
Pakistanis. Weather played an instrumental role in washing
away the pre-lunch session of second day of the test match
being played at Mohali.
Fans
line roads for a glimpse of heroes
Mohali,
March 9
Cricket mania has taken the entire city in its grip. Those who
could not cheer the home team at the Punjab Cricket Stadium
stadium in Mohali, managed to get a glimpse of the Indian
cricket gods while they were leaving the stadium after the
day’s game.
Punjabi
hospitality floors guests from Pakistan
Chandigarh,
March 9
Our guests from Pakistan were on Cloud 9 tonight. Smitten by
the lavish dinner arrangements made at Chandigarh Club, they
literally floundered for words when accosted for reactions.
Love
counts!
Chandigarh
March 9
Overwhelmed by the care and affection showered on him and his
compatriots by the Indians, Nasir Mehmood, a real estate
developer from Lahore, donated Rs 7,000 to the Chandi Kusht
Ashram in Sector 47 in Chandigarh yesterday.
Hunting
for forbidden pleasure
Chandigarh,
March 9
Most Pakistanis used cricket as an opportunity to come to
India, but contrary to their public claims about love for the
game, most Pakistani visitors admit in private that cricket
has provided them the much needed excuse to visit India.
Visa
extension, a dream come true
Mohali,
March 9
More than 500 Pakistani visitors got their visa extension to
travel to various places in Punjab today. The SSP, Ropar, who
is authorised to extend visas all over Punjab today stated
that majority of the visa extension were given for Amritsar.
Sector
17 market buzzing with guests
Chandigarh,
March 9
The Sector 17 market is buzzing with activity these days. The
latest craze among youths and older people is to identify
guest from Pakistan strolling around in the market. On a visit
to the main market this correspondent saw local boys and even
children asking their parents curiously, ‘Mama is that a
Pakistani or a Hindustani?
2
Pak patients discharged
Mohali,
March 9
Two Pakistani citizens, Mohammad Sohail Afzal Butt of Lahore
and Mohammad Arshad Khan who were admitted to a hospital here
were discharged today.
City
is beautiful: Salman Butt
Chandigarh,
March 9
It was total chaos at a leading Sector 17 footwear showroom
this evening. People thronged the shop to have a glimpse of
Pakistan cricketers who had come to visit the showroom at the
invitation of the company.
Governor
advocates fresh ideas for security environment
Chandigarh,
March 9
In the backdrop of emergence of new, multi-dimensional threats
to security and the changing nature of warfare, the Governor
of Punjab, Gen S F Rodrigues (retd) called for fresh ideas,
new methods and concepts which were suited to the local
political, economic social and security environment.
A
“Lahori” poet with anti-war poems
Chandigarh, March 9
Among the thousands who
have arrived from across the border to be part of the Indo-Pak
cricket Test at Mohali is Raja Sadiqullah, a well-known poet
of Punjabi from Lahore.
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March
9, 2005 |
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Seamers
send Pak packing
Chandigarh, March
8
Indian medium-pacer
Laxmipathy Balaji signalled his return to Test cricket with a
career-best figure of five for 76 as Pakistan, after losing
three quick wickets before lunch with only 89 runs on the
board, did well to recover to end day one of the first Test
against India at the PCA Stadium at Mohali today at 312 all
out.
Doing
well against Pak a challenge: Balaji
Mohali,
March 8
“It is always a challenge to do well against Pakistan,”
Laxmipathy Balaji, who emerged hero for India taking his
maiden five-wicket haul and playing a key role in India
restricting Pakistan to a modest total in the first Test here.
Turning
Point
The toss held the key
THE
toss was crucial at the PCA Stadium at Mohali on Tuesday. And
it also turned out to be the turning point of day one of the
first Test between India and Pakistan.
It’s
more than cricket as peaceniks join the game
Chandigarh,
March 8
The title of a book on the match-fixing scandal was called
‘It’s Not Quite Cricket’ but going by the emotional high
on both sides of the border as the Indo-Pak Test series
started today in Mohali shows that it is much more than
cricket.
In video: Pakistani
visitors bowled over by Indian hospitability. (28k,
56k)
United
colours of a passion — cricket
‘Them’
become ‘us’ at Mohali
Chandigarh,
March 8
Emotions of Friendship, love, and brotherhood between
traditional rivals ruled the first day of the test series
between India and Pakistan, both inside and outside the
stadium. Professing a lasting relationship strengthened with
emotional bonding, Indians and Pakistanis took the bilateral
ties between the two nations a step ahead, using cricket as an
anchor.
Sharmila
lost, and found
Mohali,
March 8
In the Punjab Cricket Association stadium here a few friends
were discussing cricket when suddenly bollywood actress of
yesteryears Sharmila Tagore appeared and asked “Where was I
sitting?”
Cricket
match: who will pay for security?
Mohali,
March 8
The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) and the Punjab police
seem to be heading for conflict on who will pay for the
security by the Punjab police inside and outside the stadium.
Poor
occupancy in hotels
Guests go for
budget accommodation
Chandigarh,
March 8
Several city hotels which had cancelled corporate bookings to
host Pakistani visitors have been incurring heavy losses as
most of them have gone elusive.
Razzaq
repays debt
Chandigarh,
March 8
The ace Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq had been waiting
for seven years to repay his debt to a local doctor who had
operated upon him in 1997 when the player injured his leg in a
match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Mohali.
Counters
set up for guests from Pak
Chandigarh,
March 8
The Sector 17 market is wearing a festive look these days.
Different counters have been set up by the Municipal
Corporation and the Traders Association, Sector 17, in order
to help the guests from Pakistan.
Police
extends visas of 12 Pak guests
Mohali,
March 8
Pakistani visitors to Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula now can
travel up to Delhi and Ajmer.
Cops
at PCA stadium go without water
Mohali,
March 8
The 2000 police personnel on guard duty outside the Punjab
Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here today went without
water for over 7 hours. The men were called for duty at 6 am
in the morning and till lunch time at 1 pm, no arrangements
were in place for water for these policemen.
Sight-seeing,
not match, interests visitors
Chandigarh,
March 8
Even as the Pakistan cricketers had a tough time against the
Indians at the PCA Stadium in Mohali today, a large number of
young visitors had a gala time outside the stadium.
Celebrity
status giving Pakistanis tough time
Chandigarh,
March 8
Their crossover from Wagah gave them a high. A welcome exuding
Indian warmth, red carpets rolled out wherever they went, the
Pakistani nationals couldn’t have asked for more and thus
began their Indian dream. After all, camarderie was all the
Indo-Pak cricket series was about. That, of course, is
history.
‘Pak
guests’ pockets picked’
Mohali,
March 8
Though the first day of the Indo-Pak Test match remained
peaceful, complaints of pick pocketing were received.
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March
8, 2005 |
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India
likely to play 3 seamers
Chandigarh, March
7
The start of a Test
series is always a very testing time for any captain. It will
be more so for Sourav Ganguly when his squad take on Pakistan
in the first Test beginning at the PCA Stadium in Mohali
tomorrow.
Yuvraj, Nehra
left out of squad
Mohali,
March 7
In what could be termed as a jolt to local fans, swashbuckling
batsman Yuvraj Singh and pace bowler Ashish Nehra have been
left out of the Indian squad for the first Test beginning at
the PCA Stadium here tomorrow.
‘Musharraf
won’t watch Kolkata Test’
New
Delhi, March 7
There is no truth in reports that Pakistan President Pervez
Musharraf would be watching the Indo-Pak cricket match in
Kolkata, sources told The Tribune today.
India
have edge in Tests: Rameez Raja
Wagah,
March 7
Former Pakistani batsman Rameez Raza today said India had an
edge over Pakistan in the Test series. He reached India along
with 578 Pakistani cricket enthusiasts today to watch the
first Test.
Bonhomie
won’t distract us from cricket
Baisakhi has come a month
earlier to Chandigarh. The weather, which was bitingly cold
just 10 days ago, has become extremely pleasant, and the
entire city is getting ready for the meeting not only of the
two teams but also of the Indian and Pakistani supporters.
Peace
warriors’ Test begins
Chandigarh,
March 7
The ‘warriors’ are here again after a gap of six years.
The last encounter at Mohali, a one-dayer, was tense and
tough, and even before the teams had landed, battelines had
been drawn. It was the first thaw and the colours of bonhomie
were muted.
Only
Hindu in Pak team visits Mansa Devi temple
Chandigarh,
March 7
Pakistani player Danish Prabhashankar Kaneria visited to Mata
Mansa Devi temple here, today. He is the only Hindu player of
the visiting Pakistani cricket team. He had ‘darshan’ of
goddess seek blessings. He was taken to the temple in a
Tribune car.
Pak
cricket fans turn businessmen
Sell dry
fruits, cloth
Chandigarh,
March 7
Pak guests who have come to the City Beautiful to watch the
high profile Indo-Pak Test match were seen in a different
orole taoday. Some of them have brought ‘saugaats’ for
their brethren here, but at a price.
Pak
team to miss Shoaib Akhtar
Chandigarh,
March 7
The Pakistan XI will certainly miss their star bowler Shoaib
Akhtar since he gives a scare to Indian batsmen. This was
stated by maestro spinner Harbhajan Singh. He came to the DAV
College cricket coaching centre, Sector 10, at the invitation
of DAV College Principal Subhash Marriya and former Test
player Yograj Singh. He was accompanied by local Indian team
manager Ranjit Bajaj.
In
hearts and homes of people
Mohali,
March 7
It is in the hearts and homes of the people of this township
that Pakistan and India came to being the one nation that we
were before the Partition. For those Mohali residents who had
offered to accommodate Pakistani visitors, the morning dawned
with their wishes coming true. And for the “brothers”
across the border, the greetings and welcome they received in
these houses was beyond their imagination.
Examinations
play spoilsport, say students
Chandigarh,
March 7
The Indo-Pak match is being held at the wrong time in the city
and school students couldn’t agree more. While cricket is
weighing on their minds, they have the arduous task of keeping
their heads buried in their books since it is examination time
as well. The excitement in the city is almost infectious and
the students are having a tough time keeping the cricket
frenzy at bay.
Do
away with trade barriers, say Pakistani guests
Chandigarh,
March 7
Impressed by quality products available at less rates in
India, a section of young Pakistani traders stressed the need
for doing away with trade barriers to allow an integrated
India, Pakistan and Bangladesh market to take on the European
Union.
Shakeel
dreams of a role in Indian films
Mohali,
March 7
Here is a fan from Pakistan, the likes of whom Sanjay Dutt
will not even find in India. Shakeel, a budding journalist
from Pindi, Pakistan, has a collection of over a thousand
photos of the actor. “The craze started in 1992 when I saw
his film “Khalnayak.” Since then I have collected each and
every picture of Sanjay Dutt. I have at least 30 albums of
these pictures now,” he said.
CM to
host dinner for Pak guests
Chandigarh,
March 7
The Chandigarh Club will host qawaalli night to entertain
guests from Pakistan on March 11. It has been also chosen as
the venue for hosting dinner for 2500 persons from Pakistan by
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on March 9.
Police
counters to assist Pak guests
Chandigarh,
March 7
The police has set up special counters at Cricket Stadium in
Sector 16 and at the police Headquarters in Sector 9 to
provide information and assistance to Pakistani guests.
Panchkula
impresses visitors from Pak
Panchkula,
March 7
The 300 Pak visitors to the township, impressed by the lush
green gardens, compare it to Islamabad — the most beautiful
city in Pakistan. In town as part of the team visiting India
for the Indo-Pak test match at Mohali, the visitors from
across the borders say that they were impressed with the
gardens here.
One
held for selling tickets on black market
Mohali,
March 7
A resident of Phase X here was today arrested on a charge of
selling tickets on the black market of the cricket Test match
between India and Pakistan starting tomorrow.
Bureaucrat
couple’s son has brush with cops
Mohali,
March 7
Ranjit Bajaj, local manager of the Indian Cricket team and son
of a Punjab bureaucrat couple, had a scuffle with a policeman
here outside the PCA main gate this afternoon.
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